Caulfield Betting Preview | Horse Racing Tips

Weather forecast is for a clear, sunny day – very hot with a maximum 37C.

Oddschecker

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Thu, 5 Jan, 12:00 AM

Weather forecast is for a clear, sunny day – very hot with a maximum 37C.
The track surface is rated a GOOD 4.
The rail will out 3 metres for the entire circuit.

On paper, there appears to be a few stand-outs at this meeting. However, it would pay to monitor conditions closer to race time to ascertain whether horses might be withdrawn due to the oppressively hot conditions. Traditionally, fillies and mares are the most adversely affected by hot conditions, so it would pay to watch betting markets closely in the lead-up to each race.

CATCHY Started favourite when came from last early to power over Garrard and Limestone 1000m Moonee Valley 9 December. That was a most impressive debut and will be further improved here with the extra distance also in her favour. Third horse has since won easily at Flemington to make the form even stronger.

SIAM Unraced Exceed And Excel colt who showed ample dash in a recent jump-out at Flemington. From a strong stable which usually produces prodigious youngsters. Keep under notice.

KEDLESTON Has the benefit of race experience and shapes as one of the main chances. Favourite on debut when raced handy and fought on gamely for 2.25-length fourth behind Arctic Angel Sandown Listed Race 12 November, then chased home Cao Cao when 2.75-length runner-up 1000m Moonee Valley 26 November. Trained on this track and forward showing is on the cards.

PROPERTY $130,000 Inglis Classic yearling purchase who showed good speed under a strong hold in Caulfield jump-out this week. Starcraft gelding from a very astute stable and should be respected on debut.

STRICTLY LEGIT (Best Roughie) Created a huge impression on debut when he sat four-and-five deep before sprinting clear on the bend and clearing out by nearly four-lengths 1000m Mornington Three-Year-Old Maiden 20 December. Facing a steep rise in grade here but looks a very promising type with lots of upside.

NASDEX Proved himself a quality two-year-old last season and showed that he was ready for a strong first-up showing by easily leading a Caulfield jump-out 14 December. Too good for Maiden grade Geelong Synthetic 1100m 15 July then led and fought on gallantly for third to Derryn and Sword Of Light 1000m Caulfield 30 July.

MYSTIFIED Had good Adelaide form before threading through the field to swamp Mr Dashing and Segovia 955m Moonee Valley 16 December. Looks to be better suited on the roomier track and extra distance here and must be respected again.

DANCE WITH FONTEIN Has returned in fine form, beating Petite’s Reward and Pink Perfection 955m Moonee Valley Fillies-and-Mares Handicap 9 December then reached the lead inside 200m only to be overhauled by Crystal Dreamer 1000m Sandown Hillside BM78 24 December. Ben Thompson’s 2kg claim reduces her impost to 59kg. Has to be respected.

CANA Is the class runner of the field. Took on Group company before dropping back in class to beat Wine Tales fillies-and-mares BM82 Rosehill 1 November. Hit the lead but swished her tail under the whip when nailed on the line by King’s Command 1200m BM84 Moonee Valley 26 December. Looks the testing material.

DANUKI Honest type who will appreciate the drop in grade here. Won three straight in BM70 class Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong before 2.2-length sixth to Decision Time 1100m Flemington Open Handicap 17 December. Chance to bounce back.

NO TAN TAT Free-striding filly who is going from strength-to-strength. Gained rails run to dash clear final 100m but nabbed on line by Fudged 1400m Cranbourne Three-Year-Old Fillies’ Maiden 25 November then led and ran them ragged 1421m same class Geelong 15 December. Has a nice weight buffer on main rivals. Should go forward from inside gate and will take catching.

INVICTUM DOMINA Racing in great heart and will be in the finish again. Raced fiercely early before moving clear on straightening for comfortable win Sandown Three-Year-Old Fillies’ BM64 7 December before being nabbed on the line by Fille Champagne BM70 grade 24 December. Beau Mertens’ 2kg claim an advantage.

ALMA’S ROSSA Completed a winning double at Warrnambool before coming from last on turn for a grinding length fourth to Fille Champagne, Invictum Domina 1400m Sandown Hillside 24 December. Meets Invictum Domina 1.5kg better here so could turn the tables.

No10 ROYAL APPLAUSE
(NEXT BEST BET) Runner-up at four of last five starts and gets her chance to break through here. Shuffled back to last and had no luck when fast-finishing second to Ballybrit 1600m Moonee Valley Fillies-and-Mares BM70 16 December then no match for winner but made up ground from last on straightening when second Plein Ciel 1600m here 26 December. Craig Williams goes on and will give her every chance.

AMERISTRALIA Outstanding prospect with three wins and four placings from nine starts. Raced midfield and stormed home to easily account for Cheeky Babe and Miss Vista 1000m BM70 here 1 October then took on Group Three company when fighting 1.2-length fifth to Sheidel 1200m here 8 October. She was in front four strides after the post and looks the winner here.

LYUBA Smart filly who tends to find trouble in her races but keeps improving. Held up at 250m before lifting late to beat Magna Rossa 1000m Flemington 10 December, then lost momentum at 250m when game length second Tykiato this trip 26 December. Looks the obvious danger to the favourite.

CHIAVARI Honest mare improved by two runs from a short spell. Was closing late when neck second Lyuba Moonee Valley 26 December then chased gamely for 3.75-length third Divine Mr Artie Flemington 1200m BM84 10 December. Each-way chance now.

GREY STREET Has place claims on close-up fifth Tykiato, Lyuba over this trip 26 December when she vied for the lead on straightening and battled on gamely. Fitter now.

No5 PLEIN CIEL
(BEST BET) Former German galloper racing in sparkling form and rising through his grades brilliantly. Made his Australian debut with a barnstorming 1300m Warrnambool Maiden win and super-impressive win over Turfonic 1400m Sandown Hillside BM64 7 December. Cleared out on turn for 3.25-length win Royal Applause 1600m here on Boxing Day. The step up in distance should be even more suitable and he looks the one to beat here.

MIHANY Has won two of last four and will figure in the finish again. Had three-lengths on Kenjorwood 1600m Pakenham 3 December then led again and fought on gamely for 2.4-length third Kenjorwood 1600m Flemington 17 December. Will be near the lead again and will take running down.

CHANCE TO DANCE Resuming from six-month spell and always goes well fresh. Boasts a first-up win over The United States 1600m Moonee Valley and with Jack Martin’s 3kg claim, he should be finishing over the top of them late. Ran fifth Onpicalo 1600m Flemington 9 July then pulled up with a cough after failing behind Iggimacool 1600m Winter Championship Flemington 9 July.

BURNING FRONT Disappointing when favourite and plodding 4.2-length fourth Airalign 1400m Sandown Hillside 24 December. Runner-up two of previous four outings, including second to Grande Rosso 1400m Pakenham 3 December. Back to his favourite distance here.

HELLOVA STREET Excellent record in Tasmania and worth some thought here. Beaten in two photo-finishes by Admiral 1400m and 1600m Listed Races Launceston last month. In form and must be respected.

KING’S COMMAND Stormed home to just beat Cana first-up 1200m Moonee Valley BM84 26 November and finished just behind the placings in two runs since. Came from last for 3.4-length fifth Hard Call, Bradman this trip on Boxing Day. Meets Bradman on same terms for one-length.

BRADMAN Was doing best work at the finish when 2.4-length second Hard Call this trip Boxing Day. Fitter for three runs this campaign and has to be considered.

OUR BOTTINO Winning form is best form and this fellow won his last three before spelling. Too good for Distant Rock consecutive starts 1600m Pakenham BM78. Usually takes a run or two to hit his top but must be kept safe.

IN FAIRNESS Rates highly on last start when took on Listed Race company and battled on for 2.6-length fifth Kenjorwood 1700m Lord Stakes this track on Boxing Day. Likes to lead and could prove hard to run down if left alone in front.